SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #211 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LACERATION

Possible Answers:

Complicity

Cut

Amity

Health

Penury

Correct answer:

Cut

Explanation:

"Laceration" is the medical term for a "cut" or wound. "Complicity" is guilt, and "penury" is extreme poverty. "Amity" is friendship. "Health" is an antonym of "sickness."

Example Question #212 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SANCTUARY

Possible Answers:

Clergy

Wound

Asylum

Peril

Domicile

Correct answer:

Asylum

Explanation:

A "sanctuary" is a refuge, "asylum," or safe place. "Peril" means danger, and a "wound" is an injury. A "domicile" is a home or dwelling place. "Clergy" is a collective noun that describes a group of religious leaders and officials.

Example Question #213 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SARCOPHAGUS

Possible Answers:

Coffin

Fracas

Lecher

Cabin

Journal

Correct answer:

Coffin

Explanation:

A "sarcophagus" is an ornamental coffin such as the ones found in ancient Egypt. A "cabin" is a small, rustic home in the woods, and a "lecher" is a lustful person. A "fracas" is a fight or disturbance, and a "journal" is a daily written record of events.

Example Question #214 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DOMICILE

Possible Answers:

Bigot

Abode

Injury

Misogynist

Specialty

Correct answer:

Abode

Explanation:

A "domicile" is a "home" or abode. A "specialty" is a particular area of expertise or skill. An "injury" is a wound, and a "bigot" is a biased or prejudiced person. A "misogynist" is someone who is hateful or unfair toward women.

Example Question #215 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

CONSENSUS

Possible Answers:

Citadel

Mendicant

Agreement

Discord

Disposition

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

The noun "consensus" is used to describe universal agreement, when everyone agrees on something. It is an antonym of "discord" which means disagreement, a lack of harmony. Additionally, a "mendicant" is a person who begs to survive; a "citadel" is a fortress, a stronghold; "disposition" is behavior, attitude, manner.

Example Question #216 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FACET

Possible Answers:

Progeny

Quack

Aspect

Charlatan

Epoch

Correct answer:

Aspect

Explanation:

The noun "facet" can be used either to refer to one-side of an object or an aspect, a component of something larger. Additionally, a "quack" is someone who pretends to be an expert but is actually not; a "charlatan" is another word for a quack, someone who fakes expertise; an "epoch" is an era of history, a period of time; "progeny" is offspring, children.

Example Question #217 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INGRESS

Possible Answers:

Sanction

Entrance

Exit

Contrition

Conundrum

Correct answer:

Entrance

Explanation:

The noun "ingress" means entrance, place of entry. The antonym is "egress" which means exit. Additionally, a "conundrum" is a problem, a predicament (usually with two viable solutions); a "sanction" (rather confusingly unfortunately) can be either an official punishment or an official authorization - you will have to use context to determine in which fashion it is being used in the future; "contrition" is a feeling of genuine remorse and desire to atone.

Example Question #218 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

HOMILY

Possible Answers:

Obituary

Sermon

Ditty

Elegy

Eulogy

Correct answer:

Sermon

Explanation:

The noun "homily" means religious speech that is meant to provide spiritual enlightenment. This is closest in meaning to "sermon." Additionally, an "obituary" is a column written about someone's life in a newspaper after that someone has died; a "eulogy" is a poem for someone who has passed away; an "elegy" is a poem of serious reflection and gravity, also usually intended for the dead; a "ditty" is a lighthearted, playful song.

Example Question #219 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FAUNA

Possible Answers:

Children

Extraterrestrials

Plants

Animals

Humans

Correct answer:

Animals

Explanation:

The noun "fauna" is an all-encompassing term that means animals. It is usually accompanied by "flora" which means plants, as in "The Flora and Fauna of the continental United States." Additionally, "extraterrestrials" are aliens, literally creatures from beyond the Earth.

Example Question #220 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MAELSTROM

Possible Answers:

Ferocity

Tempest

Ditty

Harbinger

Paucity

Correct answer:

Tempest

Explanation:

A "maelstrom" is a "tempest" or intense storm. "Ferocity" is fierceness, and "paucity" is scarcity. A "ditty" is a short, simple tune. "Harbinger" and "omen" are synonyms.

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